going to come ride Lady Lou tomorrow afternoon,” Sharon said. She looked up and frowned at the overhanging clouds. “I don’t think today’s going to work, but tomorrow should. It’s been too long since I’ve given her a good workout.”
“She’s a gentle soul and was glad to see you today. Thanks for letting us use her for the kids.”
“Of course.”
Jack walked over and Becca scratched his ears, grateful that everything had gone well with no strange or dangerous incidents. It seemed since her accident, there had been a series of “mishaps.” The mower’s busted brake line, a missing feed bin she knew she’d just filled right before her accident, catching glimpses of strange lights in her barn but no one being there when she investigated. Just weird stuff. Nothing to be afraid of—except the attack earlier—but she had to admit, it was all starting to worry her. “I’m glad the kids were able to ride before the storm hit.”
Sharon nodded and stole a glance at the sky through the barn door. “We’d better get going, though. It’s just sprinkling right now, but the bottom is getting ready to fall out of those clouds.”
Within minutes, the adults hurried the children through the light rain and herded them onto the small bus. All except one. “Wait a minute,” Becca said, “where’s the little blond girl? Jessica?”
Sharon frowned and did a quick head count. “She must still be in the barn. I’ll get her.”
Thunder boomed and they flinched as they ran back to the shelter of the barn. “Jessica?” Becca called.
No answer. Sharon added her voice to Becca’s. Nathan stepped inside and shook his head. Water flew from his hair. “What’s going on?”
“We’re looking for Jessica.” Becca felt a flicker of worry. “Check all the stalls.”
Nathan frowned. “I’ll look around outside. She liked watching the horses in the pasture.”
“But it’s raining,” Sharon said, “she wouldn’t go back out in this.”
“Never know with a kid.” He ducked back out into what had become a downpour.
Becca turned back to checking the stalls. A horse’s agitated whinny brought her attention to the third stall from the end. She hurried to the door and looked in. Jessica stood there, pale and trembling, her terrified eyes locked on something on the ground.
Becca followed the child’s gaze and froze.
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